The World Health Organization has introduced seven evidence-based strategies to help governments and communities lower the nearly 300,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.
Key facts
- •Nearly 300,000 people die from drowning annually, with over 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
- •Drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5–14 years.
- •In Ghana, approximately 1,100 people drown each year, averaging about three deaths per day.
- •The PROTECT package was developed by the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention, which launched the first global strategy in 2025.
- •The theme for this year's World Drowning Prevention Day is 'Unite to turn the tide.'
Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new technical package titled PROTECT. The initiative provides governments with seven evidence-based strategies to reduce drowning, which currently claims nearly 300,000 lives annually. The package was introduced in Ghana, a country where an estimated 1,100 people die from drowning each year, to highlight the need for coordinated global action.
By the numbers
The PROTECT Strategy Framework
The PROTECT package translates the Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention into actionable policy guidance. The framework includes measures such as improving the safety of water transport, teaching children to swim, and enhancing threat preparedness for floods and other emergencies. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that drowning prevention requires a multi-sectoral approach, noting that most drowning deaths are preventable.
Climate Change and Drowning Risks
The WHO reports that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like floods, storms, and heatwaves, which in turn elevates drowning risks. Research cited by the organization indicates a strong link between rising temperatures and drowning. In the United Kingdom, studies found that drowning deaths rise by 7.2% for every 1°C increase in temperature, with risks nearly five times higher on days exceeding 25°C compared to days below 10°C.
Global Collaboration and Implementation
The launch of the PROTECT package builds on over a decade of collaboration between the WHO, governments, and partners. Bloomberg Philanthropies, which has partnered with the WHO on drowning prevention since 2014, supported the development of these resources. Dr. Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies stated that the framework aims to build on existing government progress to implement effective, proven interventions.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by WHO News.
